. >>> and while millions deal with the effects of sandy, mitt romney continues to campaign in key battleground states. we've got brand-new poll numbers. all of that, and our own brian williams goes home to battered point pleasant beach, new jersey. >> announcer: this is "early today" for thursday, november 1st, 2012. >>> good morning. i'm lynn berry. the very latest on sandy. at least 74 people in the u.s. have died as a result of hurricane sandy. millions remain without power, and recovery isn't coming nearly fast enough. new jersey is just one of the places there are major gasoline shortages. people are waking up with canisters and walking up with canisters trying to get fuel. and further down the coast, take a look as cars are lined up for blocks, if not miles. some people waited more than an hour for a chance to fill up. >>> another big oil problem, a massive leak, a fuel leak at a tank facility. more than 300,000 gallons of diesel crude spilled into the water separating new jersey from staten island. containment booms are keeping the oil where it is. >>> in connecticut, these are such int